Good government

“Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:7)

Does ‘government’ sound like a good word to you?

A lot of people have lost trust in the political process and feel rather let down by government, not just in this country but in many countries around the world. We can be divided by political opinion and the way in which countries like ours should be governed. As Christians we should be praying for our leaders and those in government, but we should also be realistic about their flaws too. 

‘Government’, therefore, is a word which comes with a lot of baggage! Which makes it all the more remarkable that one of the things that God promises in Jesus’ coming at Christmas is… government.

As God looks forward to Christmas through the prophet Isaiah, he speaks of the child who would be born, saying “the government will be on his shoulders… of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.” I wonder if you have ever thought that one of the gifts God gives at Christmas is government? It’s surprising and perhaps not all that welcome or pleasant!

What Jesus brings, however, is perfect government. We only experience government through imperfect leaders at present. But the government that Jesus brings is government as it truly should be. Jesus’ government is based on righteousness and justice which, as human beings, we long for but often fail to achieve. Jesus’ government will establish and uphold these things, bringing peace. Jesus’ government will be eternal, not shifting and changing with political fashions or cabinet reshuffles.

Whatever you hope to find under the Christmas tree this year, let’s remember that God brings Jesus to rule as king, bringing the government that we most desperately need.

Photo by Katie Moum on Unsplash